Ukraine says 21 people were killed in a Russian missile crashing into a house near Odesa

Kyiv, Ukraine —Russia's missile attack on a residential area in a coastal town near the port city of Odesa in Ukrainewas two people at the beginning of Friday. Authorities reported killing at least 21 people, including children, the day after Russian troopswithdrew from the Black Sea's Strategic Snake Island.

A video of the pre-dawn attack showed the ruins of a burnt building in the small town of Serhiivka, about 31 miles from Odesa. According to the Ukrainian Presidential Office, military planes launched three missiles that struck apartment buildings and campgrounds.

Ukrainian authorities interpreted the attack in return for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Snake Island a day ago, but Moscow made their departure a "goodwill gesture" to lift the block on grain exports. I described it as.

On the first day of the war, Russian troops ruled the island, Odesa, Ukraine's largest port and headquarters of the Navy. The place where the attack on is set.

"Because the occupants cannot win on the battlefield, they resort to the sneaky killing of civilians," said SBU, a Ukrainian security service. Said Ivan Bakanov. "After the enemy was expelled from Snake Island, he decided to respond with ironic artillery of civilian targets."

A theater used as a hospital and shelter in the early days of the war. Many civilians were killed in the Russian bombing, at stations and elsewhere. Until this week, as Moscow concentrated on occupying the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, the mass casualties that involved the inhabitants appeared to have diminished.

Last weekend, a relatively calm Russian missile struck the Kive area, killing at least 19 people in a bombing at a shopping mall in the central city of Clementuk on Monday.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy expressed his anger at the attack on Friday.

"These missiles, the Kh-22, are designed to destroy aircraft carriers and other large warships, and the Russian Army is a regular nine-story building with regular civilians. I used them against them, "he said.

Local administration spokesman Serhii Bratchuk said 21 people, including children, were killed. 38 people were reported hospitalized, including 6 children and a pregnant woman. Most of the victims were in the apartment building, Ukrainian emergency authorities said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Moscow is not targeting residential areas.

Independent Ukrainian military analyst Ole Zudanov said Russia's withdrawal from Snake Island has "huge psychological importance" to Ukraine.

"Snake Island is the key to dominating the Black Sea and could help cover Russia's attacks if Kremlin chooses an amphibious landing operation in Odesa or elsewhere in the region. There is, "he said. "Now those plans are being pushed back."

Ukrainian troops claim that their artillery and missile bullets forced Russians to flee the island in two small speedboats. did. The exact number of troops withdrawn has not been disclosed.

In the early days of the war, the island became a symbol of Ukrainian rebellion. When a Russian warship demanded that its defenders surrender, they probably replied, "Go (curse) yourself."

Zelenskyy said the withdrawal does not guarantee the security of the Black Sea region, but "significantly limits" Russia's activities there.

In eastern Ukraine, Russian troops have worked hard to surround the city of Lisichansk, the base of the last resistance of Luhansk, one of the two states that make up Donbus.

"Urban artillery is very intensive," Luhansk Gov said. Serhiy Haidai said. "The occupants are destroying their homes one after another with heavy guns and other weapons. The inhabitants of Lisichansk are hiding underground for almost 24 hours."

Heidi says Russians are on the edge of the city. He said he was fighting for the management of the oil refinery. However, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Russian troops and separatists dominated refineries, mines and gelatin factories.

The Ukrainian presidential office said the last 24 hours of Russian strikes have also killed civilians in eastern Ukraine. There are four in the northeastern part of the Kalkifu region and four more in Doneck.

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